Should I buy him?

[wrmitchell22]

Honestly, I don't agree with treating animals as toys that you interchange when bored, that being said, if you will do what needs to be done in terms of care than the tortoise would be better off with you. That is until you lose interest. I have always been of the thought that you do everything you can to keep any animal you invest in unless it is a foster animal when you get it.

 

[jaizei]

I think you should wait a while. At least till you save some more money. This isn't a race, maybe take some time and research the different species. See which one you really like/want.
Sulcatas make great 'first tortoises' as long as you're prepared to care for them properly. Which is no different than any other animal.

 

[ChiKat]

Good advice jaizei.
I really think someone on here should get that poor Russian though!!

 

[wrmitchell22]

Good advice jaizei.
I really think someone on here should get that poor Russian though!!

I totally agree someone with knowledge or at least willing to learn should definatly take the poor little guy

 

[zoidberg815]

I guess I should have said "dewormed"
I don't know about the costs, hopefully someone else will chime in.
My point is that there may be unexpected costs, so make sure you're prepared financially for the unexpected. My Russian ended up costing a LOT more than I initially expected. I assumed once I had the tortoise and his enclosure, I was all set!
Then I changed the substrate several times...bought new cage furnishings...bought trays, dirt, and seeds to try to grow my own plants...I also bought a $60 light that burned out, so I had to spend another $60 to replace it...I decided I needed a scale to keep track of his weight, a temp gun, etc. it all adds up!!

I have to admit, it concerns me a little bit that you're getting rid of your lizard because you "lost interest" and think tortoises are "cooler pets". What happens if you "lose interest" in your tortoise? Please don't be offended, I am just being honest!

The reason I lost interest is because they don't live for long periods of time, are too sensitive and prone to disease, A lot of times more than not they are untamed or semi-tame and are often times too dangerous. Even if I lost interest in the tortoise, he is easier to take care of and more appreciative than any lizard, take a tortoise outside and it will eat your grass for you and runs away slowly, if take a lizard outside and it runs away and never comes back. I've had lizards for as long as I can remember not one of them lived as long as I did, which is shame considering the cost of crickets and food, housing, and habitat. My friend had a turtle or tortoise I don't remember I was young and he lost interest in it but still kept it alive and showed it off, he said to me that they were not to be held and are cool pets but kind of boring. I laughed it off and after situations like that I never considered one until recently, maybe had one red ear slider when I was a kid but I don't even remember that. You can't forget about a tortoise, but you can forget about a lizard since they feed on insects, mice, and worms which are expensive, if you don't have a pay check coming or your a young kid without work you think your going to worry about feeding your lizard feeder mice or yourself, hell you might even sell it, give it away, or release it, often times they prefer the more expensive choice and are bad eaters if not housed correctly. I just want a new and fresh pet that is low maintenance compared to the hard work of lizards. They might not do much and can't be held but, they are easy to maintain and the food isn't that expensive and they live a lot longer than a lizard, trust me. Most cold blooded animals such as lizards are not great pets for the untrained and must be raised since childhood with you/humans to be held and be tame. Mine however is ok since I have some experience and have done trial and error throughout my years. Trust me when I buy something that expensive for (50-80) dollars I plan to take care of it properly and I have lots of veggies and grass for them to nibble on also, and my parents will probably appreciate and like it more. Just a choice I made for my new pet(s), give them a try. I watch a lot of animal planet, swamp wars, and python hunter like shows and see that lizards and snakes are some of the worst most dangerous pets to have, no offense to lizards and snake lovers but I think tortoises and turtles are the better pets for people.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

One way to deworm a tortoise is the get some plain, unsalted pumkin seeds (from a health food store) and put them in a blender and chop up very fine...mix with soaked tortoise chow. \

Tortoise will pass the worms soon.

 

[zoidberg815]

One way to deworm a tortoise is the get some plain, unsalted pumkin seeds (from a health food store) and put them in a blender and chop up very fine...mix with soaked tortoise chow. \

Tortoise will pass the worms soon.

Thank you i'll try this when and if I get him.

 

[Sky2Mina]

If you take proper care of the guy, I'd say go for him.
Just save up some "emergency money" on the side for unexpected vet visits. But I bet you won't mind, once you have him as a pet. I think it's fun to buy new equipment for your pet (be it food, enclosure etc.) and see how he/she likes it.

In the picture of the tortoise, i don't see any heat lamps/UVB lamps, so I'd take a close look at the tortoise when you buy him (check if he has a firm shell, clear eyes, no discharge from the nose, walking normally, active etc).
Also ask what they feed him so you get an idea how they kept him. Post pics once you got him.